The wacky items are among a range of furniture in the BBC’s MediaCity premises in Salford Quays

The wacky items are among a range of new furniture in the Beeb’s MediaCity premises in Salford Quays. Other furnishings include padded hamster wheel booths for “thinking time” and chairs which help muffle sound.

But taxpayers’ watchdogs say a cheaper alternative could have been used for nearly every item.

The Coca Cola “Emeco” chair made from recycled plastic bottles costs around £144 but a plastic office chair from Tesco can be bought for a tenth of the price.

Charlotte Linacre, of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “It’s disgraceful BBC execs are breaking their promise to save where possible.

“They must stop splashing viewers’ cash.” A Beeb spokesman said: “It’s not only about cost but also about the environment and not buying cheap stuff which you have to keep replacing.”

The hi-tech HQ will house 2,300 staff and shows including BBC Breakfast, CBeebies and Question Of Sport will be made there.